Cabinet washing machine



Aug..3, 1937. HUME 2,088,704

CABINET WASHING MACHINE 7 Filed July 5, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l Aug. 3,1937. H. Hum; 2,088,704

CABINET WASHING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1934 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Aug. 3,1937. J HUME 2,088,704

CABINET WASHING MACHINE Filed July 5, 1934 I5 Sheets-Sheet 3 PatentedAug. 3, 1937 UNITED STATES.

CABINET WASHING MACHINE John T. Hume, Chicago, Ill., assi'gnor toElectric Household Utilities Corporation, Chicago, 111., a corporationof Illinois Application July 5, 1934, Serial No. 733,740

12 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in domestic washing machines.

One of the objects of my invention is to enclose fastenings appearing onthe exterior of the cab-- inet walls to mar the appearance; whichdistributes and cushions the load and strains to eliminate vibration andnoise; which prevents leakage of water to the interior of the cabinet;which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and adaptable toproduction methods of assembly of its parts; and which is readilyadaptable to the use of porcelain enameled sheet metal for the cabinetwalls without requiring a special framework therefor. n Other objects ofthe invention will appear from 0 the following description and theaccompanying drawings which illustrate one embodiment of the invention.

Referring to said drawings,

enclosure, showing the doors permitting access to the lower portionthereof;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical diagonal sectional view substantially online 2-2 of Fig. 3, showing the cabinet and washing machine tub insection and other parts in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a plan sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is a skeleton perspective view of the related parts of the framewhich supports the washing tub, the operating parts and the driving moor.

The cabinet enclosure A is rectangular in shape and includes'in generala front wall I, rear wall 2, side walls 3 and 4, bottom wall 5, a topwall 6, and

'a removable cover 3| which forms a convenient table top for thestructure when the washing machine is not in use. The front, rear andside walls are preferably made of porcelain enameled sheet metal and areformed as flat sheets with rounded margins forming the corners of thecabinet. These wall panels may be integrally joined at the corners andthe margins covered by suitable ornamental mouldings as desired.

Around the bottom of the cabinet is a base structure constituting a partof a tub supporting frame to be described which base structure includesdepending side walls constituting a skirt ing I 0 extended downwardly'atthe corners II to provide legs for the cabinet and to cover the rollersor casters 12 upon which the structure is Fig. 1 is a front elevationalview of the cabinet R E l S E U E} MAR 2619465 (01. 68-15) supported soas to be readily portable. The skirting at its upper margin has a metalband l3 on its inner face and an angle member l4 surrounds this band andhas its vertical flange secured thereto (Fig. 2). The horizontal flangeof the 5 angle iron It forms a support for the bottom wall 5 of thecabinet. The casters or rollers [2 are pivotally mounted in comerbrackets l5 which are bolted to lugs it on the inner face of theskirting and which are formed to seat in the 10 angle of the anglemember I 4. The lower edges of the front, rear and side walls of the.cabinet rest upon the upper edges of the skirting around the base (Fig.2). As will be later explained, the weight of the washing machine andoperating 15 parts is carried directly to the base structure at pointsabove the caster brackets at the corners oi the cabinet by means of aframework.

The washing machine is preferably positioned in substantially the center'of' the cabinet and comprises in general a cylindrical tub 20 having anopen top and a flat bottom wall 2|. An agitator 22 is centrallypositioned within the tub and is operated through suitable mechanismfrom beneath the tub. The upper rim or margin 25 23 of the tub is beadedand provided with a horizontally outwardly turned flange. The top wall 6of the cabinet has a central opening corresponding to the open top ofthe tub, andthe marginal edge of said top wall around this opening isturned downwardly to form a neck portion 24, the lower edge 25 of whichis turned outwardly and horizontally as a flange. A rubber ring 26 ispositioned between these flanges 23 and 25 to form a complete seal whichprevents the entrance of water into, the cabinet and at the same timeforms a resilient cushion which prevents vibration and noise from thewashing machine being transmitted to the top wall 6.

The outer margin of the top wall 6 of the cabinet is formed to provide araised bead 21 forming a channel or groove on its under side, whichoverlies the upper margin of the front, side and rear walls-of thecabinet. A rubber gasket 28 is seated in this channel and is interposedbetween this channel and the upper edge of the cabinet walls. Thisrubber gasket keeps moisture from the interior of the cabinet and at thesame time forms a cushion to prevent noise or vibration from the washingmachine being transmitted to the '50 cabinet walls.

The top wall 6 thus forms a shallow tray which serves to drain waterback into the washing machine tub during the handling ofthe clothes.

A removable lid or cover 30 is provided for the washing machine tub.This is in the form of adisc having its edges formed to rest in the neckportion 24 of the top wall 5. The cover 33, however, is arranged so thatit does not project above the level of the outer marginal bead 21 of thetop wall 5, so as to permit the use of the flat removable table top 3|.This tabletop is in the form of a flat sheet of metal having its margins32 turned downwardly and inwardly to form angularly extending flangesand is adapted to rest upon the marginal bead 21 of the top wall 6.

The washing machine operating mechanism may be of any suitable type forthe purpose and is represented by the operating shaft 31 for theagitator 22, which shaft extends upwardly through the bottom of the tub.A suitable housing 35 is provided for the operating mechanism and ispositioned beneath the tub and extends generally from substantially thecenter of the cabinet into one corner thereof. The housing has a hub orboss '36 adjacent its inner end, which bears against the bottom wall 2|of the tub and supports the tub, and the operating shaft 31 for theagitator extends through this hub and upwardly into the tub. At itsother end, adjacent the corner of the cabinet, the housing has anupstanding tubular member 33 which encloses an operating shaft 33extending to the top of the cabinet in position so that a wringer orother attachment may be mounted on top of the cabinet and operablyconnected with said shaft. The washing machine parts are driven by anelectric motor 40, the shaft 4| of which extends into the housing 35.

All of these operating parts are supported by j means of a horizontallyA disposed framework which includes uprights 42 disposed in the cornersof the cabinet. As shown more clearly in Figs. 3 and 4, this frame ismade up of a series of channel members connected together in a man'- nerto provide a substantial structure. Two

channel members 43 and 44 are disposed diagonally of the cabinet andarranged in substantially parallel relation. The outer end of thechannel member 44 extends to a corner of the cabinet and is connected tothe upright 42 in that corner. Another channel member 45 extends at anangle to the members 43 and 44, and the outer end thereof is connectedto the upright. 42 in the corresponding corner of the cabinet. The otherend of the member 45 is secured at 45 by welding or otherwise to thechannel member adjacent its outer end. The outer end of the channelmember 43 is secured at 41 by welding to the channel member 45 at apoint intermediate the ends of said member 45.

Theinner ends of the channel members and 44 are secured by welding to anangular channel member 48 at points 49 and 53 respectively. The outerend of the member 43 extends into another comer of the cabinet -andisconnected to the upright 42 in that corner. This member 43 is secured bythe screws 5| to the housing 35 at points separated substantially thewidth of the housing. In addition to this, the member 43 is likewisesecured by the screw 52 to the housing 35 adjacent the inner endthereof. In this manner the housing 35 becomes a part of the framecarrythe support to the fourth corner upright 42. The driving motor 43 ismounted on cross hangers 53 which are hung from the under side of theframe and secured thereto,- the inner hanger being bolted at its ends'54" to the channel members 43. and 44, and the outer hanger beinglikework and serves as an extension of the frame to wisebolted at oneend to'the channel member 44 and at its other end to the channel member45.

Thus it will be seen that the load is carried by the frame and thehousing to the corners of the cabinet and is transferred directly to thesupport-- ing casters by means of the uprights 42. This enables the loadto be supported directly by the four corners of the base independentlyof the walls of the cabinet, and since the interior mechanism of thewashing machine is independent of the cabinet walls no fastenlngs of anycharacter extend through the cabinet walls to mar the appearancethereof.

The uprights 42 are in the form of wide channel members, the marginalflanges 53 of which reinforce said uprights. The upper ends of theuprights have horizontally turned flanges II which are secured to theends of the channel members of the frame by means of the bolts 52, andrubber cushions 83 are interposed between these flanges and the framemembers to prevent the transmission of vibration to the uprights andthence to the cabinet. The housing 35 at its with the correspondingupright 42, and a resilient cushion 63 is likewise interposed betweenthe upright and the lug. The lower ends of the uphinged doors 69.

It is obvious that changes may be made in the construction, arrangementand operation of the parts} without departing from the spirit of theinvention, and I contemplate such changes as fairly fall within thescope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination of a washing machine. a substantially rectangularcabinet having walls enclosing said washing machine, a frame within thecabinet for supporting said washing machine in engagement with one ofthe walls of said cabinet for supporting said cabinet, said frameincluding uprights disposed adjacent the comers of the cabinet, and abase structure constituting a part of said frame and spaced inwardlyfrom said corners, said base structure being secured to and supportingthe uprights independently of the side walls of thecabinet.

2. The combination of a washing machine, a substantially rectangularcabinet enclosing the machine and including front, rear and side walls,a frame within the cabinet supporting said washing machine and saidcabinet and including horizontal members upon which said washing machineis mounted, said frame further including upright members respectivelydisposed substantially in the corners of said cabinet and spacedinwardly from the rear and side walls thereof, and supporting rollersfor said frame disposed in the lower corners of the cabinet insubstantial vertical alignment with and secured to the uprights forsupporting the latter independently of the cabinet walls.

3. The combination of a substantially rectangular base having side wallsand supporting outer end has a lug 64 by which it is connected castersand brackets for said casters disposed in the corners of and secured tosaid base, a substantially rectangular cabinet including walls supportedon the side walls of said base outwardly of said brackets, a washingmachine enclosed by the cabinet, and a frame within the cabinet forsupporting the washing machine; said frame extending into the corners ofthe cabinet and spaced from the cabinet walls, said frame includingupright members bearing upon and secured to said caster brackets,whereby said washing machine is directly supported by said frame andbase independently of the cabinet walls.

4. The combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet including sidewalls and a bottom wall, a washing machine positioned within saidcabinet and having a cylindrical tub, a top wall for the cabinet havingan opening corresponding to the opening in the tub and bearing upon theupper rim of the tub, a frame within the cabinet disposed beneath andsupporting the tub with the rim of the latter in bearing engagement withthe said top wall, said frame being disposed above the bottom wall ofthe cabinet, a base for the cabinet including depending wallssupportingthe side a d bottom walls of the cabinet, and means suppo edby the base and extending upward to and supporting said frame.

5. The combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet includingvertical enclosing walls, a. washing machine disposed within the cabinetand enclosed by said walls, a frame for supporting the washing machineincluding horizontal members each extending inwardly to one of three ofthe corners of said cabinet and spaced from the walls thereof, saidframe further including a housing for enclosing the operating mechanismof the washing machine, said housing 40 being secured at its inner endto one of said horizontal members and extending at its opposite end intothe remaining corner of the cabinet and spaced from said vertical wallsof the latter, said frame further including upright supporting 5 membersfor the washing machine and housing,

said upright supporting members being respectively disposed within thecorners of the cabinet and spaced from the cabinet vertical walls, and

means on said frame secured to and supporting 50 said cabinet at thebottom thereof.

6. The combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet havingvertical walls, a washing machine disposed within the cabinet walls, aframe for supporting the washing machine in- 55 cluding a plurality ofhorgontally disposed members extending substantially toand spaced fromthree of the comers of said cabinet, said frame further including ahorizontally disposed housing enclosing the operating mechanism of thewash- 6 ing machine, said housing extending into the said horizontallydisposed members, and a caster disposed in each lower corner of saidcabinet in substantial alignment with a said upright memher and rigidlyconnected to the lower ends of the latter, whereby said washing machineis sup- 7 ported by said casters and said frame within and 75 gularcabinet including side walls, a washing ma spaced from the verticalwalls ofsaid cabinet,

and means on said frame secured to and supporting said cabinet at thelower end thereof.

7. The combination of a substantially rectanchine comprising a tub andoperating mechanism therefor disposed within the cabinet, a supportingframe for said tub and including a plurality of horizontally disposedmembers each extending into a corner of said cabinet and spaced from theside walls thereof, said frame further including a housing for saidoperating mechanism, said housing also extending into a corner of saidcabinet and spaced from the side walls thereof, a

plurality of upright supporting members one disposed within each of saidcorners and spaced inwardly from the cabinet walls, the upper ends ofsaid upright members being secured to the outer ends of saidhorizontally disposed members and said housing for supporting the same,said cabinet further including a top horizontal wall extending inwardlyfrom the side walls and bearing upon the upper rim of the washingmachine tub, and a cushion member interposed between and contacting saidtop wall and the rim of the washing machine tub to seal the jointtherebetween and prevent vibration being transmitted to the wall of thecabinet from said tub.

8. In combination with a washing machine including a cylindrical tub anda housing for the operating mechanism 'disposed beneath the tub, a framefor supporting said tub and housing and including said housing, saidframe further including a plurality of upright members, a, cabinetincluding vertical walls enclosing said tub, housing and ,frame andsecured at its lower end to and supported by said frame, and bracketmembers secured to the lower ends of said upright members of said framefor supporting said tub and housing independently of said cabinet walls.

9. The combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet including atop wall having an opening therein and an integral downwardly extendingflange defining said opening, a washing machine positioned within saidcabinet and including a cylindrical tub open at its upper end anddisposed with the upper rim thereof bearing against the lower portion ofsaid flange, and a frame within the cabinet having its lower portiondimensioned for engagement with the floor, the upper end of said frameengaging and supporting said tub in engagement with said dependingflange of the top wall of the cabinet.

10. The combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet including atop wall having an opening therein and a downwardly extending integralflange defining said opening, a washing machine positioned within saidcabinet and including a cylindrical tub open at its upper end anddisposed with the upper rim .thereof bearing against the lower portionof said flange, 9. frame within the cabinet for supporting said tub inengagement with the opening in said top wall, and a base structuredimensioned for engagement with the floor and engaging at its upperportion said frame, whereby to support said frame and said tub withinthe walls of the cabinet.

11. The combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet having adepressed top wall, said wall having an opening therein and the marginof said opening turned downwardly to form a neck portion surroundingsaid opening, said neck portion having a flange at'its lower end, awashof said neck portion, a rubber cushion and sealing ring interposedbetween the flanges, and

means 'within the cabinet for supporting said tub in contact with saidrubber cushion.

12. The combination of a substantially rectangular cabinet having adepressed top wall, said wall having an opening therein and the marginof said opening turned downwardly to form a neck portion surroundingsaid opening, said neck portion having a flange at its lower end, awashing machine within the cabinet including a cylindrical tub open atits upper end and having a flange on its upper rim, said tub beingdisposed with its open upper end in alignment with said opening and withits flange adjacent the flange of said neck portion, a rubber cushionand sealing ring interposed between the flanges, means within'thecabinet for supporting said tub in

